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Tires

I have question about the rear drive tires (tread design) that most of you all are using ? Having been around trucks all my life , logging , heavy haul , oilfield etc and that I plan on boondocking mostly I was thinking a person might want a all terrain type tread but not sure how that would handle and the wear life on normal highway use. The coach I am looking at needs rear shoes, the ones on it are 10 yrs old, plenty of tread and no cracking in sidewall, but understand that a blowout would most likely cost and destroy a lot more then a new set of rubber would be. I have not done much research on brands, I also understand that michelan is the preferred brand, just think that you pay a lot for name on them just my ho.
Adam Byler
1999 U320 M4200 DGFE Build #5389
2014 Sundowner 26 ft Enclosed
2015 Ford F150 King Ranch crew cab

Re: Tires

Reply #1 –
Adam, search the prior posts via search function on home page, hundreds of informative posts on the topic of tires
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Tires

Reply #2 –
Adam,
Because of the added torsion to the coach frame when off road, I would not be considering this option.  Best to stay on paved roads, and w/o many ruts and pot holes.  Don't ask me how I know... :headwall: A few cracked windshields later, and I've learned my lesson.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Tires

Reply #3 –
Very good point Peter, thank you I didnt think about it in that way, body flex and large glass mass end result $$ mucho denaro , hence why we used lexan in all off road equip. I might be slowing down on using the grey matter between my ears, ^.^d
Adam Byler
1999 U320 M4200 DGFE Build #5389
2014 Sundowner 26 ft Enclosed
2015 Ford F150 King Ranch crew cab

Re: Tires

Reply #4 –
Quote from: kreagsman –
I have question about the rear drive tires (tread design) that most of you all are using ? Having been around trucks all my life , logging , heavy haul , oilfield etc and that I plan on boondocking mostly I was thinking a person might want a all terrain type tread but not sure how that would handle and the wear life on normal highway use. The coach I am looking at needs rear shoes, the ones on it are 10 yrs old, plenty of tread and no cracking in sidewall, but understand that a blowout would most likely cost and destroy a lot more then a new set of rubber would be. I have not done much research on brands, I also understand that michelan is the preferred brand, just think that you pay a lot for name on them just my ho.

No doubt that Michelins are a good tire but there are lots of other brands that are at least as good. In the fire service, we used nothing but Coopers for the apparatus and cars. When we bought our coach 3 years ago, the owner had just put on a new set of Coopers.  We have put over 25,000 miles on them and are quite happy. No wear to speak of. They have a stiffer sidewall but I like that. Never a problem with balance or noise. Other tires from Asia get good reviews. Here is a link to a bus company and their take on tires: Tejas Coach Works Tire Information Data Page

Flexible sidewalls, comfort tire pressures along with an out of alignment coach can make for anxious moments in cross winds with big trucks close by or in construction zones with concrete barriers, very narrow lanes and uneven pavement.

We have steer tires all the way around and a steer tire for a spare.

We go off road all the time on dirt roads, dry river beds. When we cross a stream or other rough terrain, I slow way down. I have watched the windshields but have not seen any movement yet. The U300 is not nearly as stiff as my old 4107 but has better ground clearance, especially in the front. Nice to be able to raise it with the air for the really tough spots.

With a diesel pusher, don't think you will need an agressive tire in the back unless you get in the mud. If the spot looks slippery, you can drop rear pressures 20 or 30 psi to get through it. Any pusher is just like a VW with great traction in the rear. I have never felt the need for anything but a highway tread. The huge trade off is the added noise that agressive tires make, especially when they wear a bit.

In the event I did crack some glass, I have insurance. Just got through replacing our RAV4 windshield and would not hesitate to put in a claim for the U300 if necessary. Have never had the premiums go up because of comprehensive claims.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Tires

Reply #5 –
Consider joining FMCA to take advantage of their Michelin tire discount. Many have used the discount.

Re: Tires

Reply #6 –
As others have said lot of good tires avaliable these days to choose from. As far a drive lugs on the rear, you will be spending way more time on the highway than "off road" I would imagine the noise would get old quick. JMHO as far as off road goes, if you get into a situation where you likely get stuck about all a drive lug is going to do is dig a big hole quicker. At work we have severial 6X6 trucks (all wheel drive) with booms on them, we run on road tires on them just for that reason. As others have said might be better to stick with paved and well maintained dirt roads. A 30,000 lb M/H sitting on the frame in the mud or soft sand 1/2 way between lost and found will be an UGLY sight.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Tires

Reply #7 –
 :D  Agressive tres fill with mud and you still have a slick tire.  Ronald Boyd
A1HUSKY

Re: Tires

Reply #8 –
This retired truck driver who cut teeth on ice  and snow will tell you "all-position" or "steers" all the way around.  You don't want or need lugs!
1994 U225
build #4514
 

Re: Tires

Reply #9 –
Have you ever hauled logs out of the woods in northern michigan PatC? 180000 lbs on ice snow and mud usually defines a difference in who can and delivering a dry box of goods to a warehouse. Just saying. Adam
.
Adam Byler
1999 U320 M4200 DGFE Build #5389
2014 Sundowner 26 ft Enclosed
2015 Ford F150 King Ranch crew cab